Super Bean Thread Noodle Action!

Tai-pi-en is a Japanese-Chinese regional specialty from the Kumamoto region, where it’s so common that it shows up at cafeteria lunches. It’s a chicken broth soup noodle with clear bean thread noodles (called haru-same). Though it usually comes with a fried boiled egg, the version at Gyoza No Hana in San Jose comes with a fried scrambled egg. Plus an intense abundance of vegetables on top, which makes the soup feel a little healthier than your average ramen. Broth is deeply savory, with a shot of vegetable sweetness. Noodles remain firm throughout the meal. yamada3 says it’s excellent, though perhaps not worth a special trip to San Jose.